Primers targeted to NAT2 gene for detection of poor metabolizers of drugs

Abstract

A method for the detection of poor metabolizers of drugs using PCR technology is described comprising a) optionally amplifying a gene coding for an enzyme known to be responsible for the metabolization of drugs, thereby separating it from possible closely related pseudogens, b) amplifying different allelic forms of the gene of step a) and c) detecting the product of step b). Primers for amplification of the genes responsible for the debrisoquine or acetylation phenotype are also disclosed.

I claim: 
     
       1. A primer comprising a nucleic acid sequence of 10 to 25 bases, said primer being capable of amplifying a nucleic acid sequence of an allele of the NAT2 gene coding for the enzyme N-acetyltransferase, said sequence of said allele having a mutated or wild type sequence, said primer containing at the 3' end at least one base complementary to base number 282, 341, 481, 590, or 857 of the wild type or mutated NAT2 gene sequence and having bases in the 5' direction which are substantially complementary to said gene. 
     
     
       2. The primer of claim 1, which comprises the sequence: 5' CTG ATT TGG TCC AG 3' (SEQ ID NO:10). 
     
     
       3. The primer of claim 1, which comprises the sequence: 5' CTG ATT TGG TCC AA 3' (SEQ ID NO:11). 
     
     
       4. The primer of claim 1 which comprises the sequence: 5' AAT AGT AAG GGA TC 3' (SEQ ID NO:15). 
     
     
       5. The primer of claim 1, which comprises the sequence: 5' AAT AGT AAG GGA TT 3' (SEQ ID NO:16). 
     
     
       6. The primer of claim 1, which comprises the sequence: 5' TTT ACG CTT GAA CCT CG 3' (SEQ ID NO:13). 
     
     
       7. The primer of claim 1, which comprises the sequence: 5' TTT ACG CTT GAA CCT CA 3' (SEQ ID NO:14).